Summer Needs to Hurry Up

I love a lot of things, and if you've been hanging around these parts long enough I'm sure a lot of them have come up a lot.... traveling, Harry Potter, Sephora, wine, and of course all things summer.

Summertime

Summertime by greenfashionistablog 


I'm a sundress wearing pool party loving ice cream eating margarita drinking baseball fanatic who enjoys outdoor concerts and long walks on the beach and firework displays.

Summer is hands down my favorite time of year. So much so that I relocated after being born and raised in the northeast to Florida and you couldn't pay me enough to move back. Contrary to popular belief, it's not endless summer here, and I've been eagerly waiting for it to warm up consistently so I can break back out my sundresses and spend my weekends drinking by the pool or at the beach.



Last summer was filled with pool parties, BBQ's, baseball games, fireworks, and Labor Day Weekend was spent at the beach with friends. So many great memories made, and I can't wait to make more this year! 

I'm sure everyone can agree that the best memories are made when you're spending time outside in the summer by the water. 


Linking up with Helene and Taylor for why I can't wait for summer... hop on over and join us!

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Creamy Avocado Dip

I was looking for something green to make to bring to our friend's St. Patricks Day party this past weekend when I found a recipe for creamy avocado dip. I knew I just had to make it considering my obsession love of guacamole.

Ingredients

2 ripe avocados
1/2 cup of plain fat free Greek yogurt
1 clove of garlic
3 tbsp. of cilantro
1 tbsp. of chopped jalapeno
2 tbsp. of fresh lime juice
1/4 tsp. of cumin
Salt and pepper to taste




Directions

Add yogurt, avocados, garlic, cilantro, jalapeno, lime juice, and cumin to a food processor or blender and mix until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.




Transfer to serving dish and serve with pita chips and/or fresh veggies for dipping. Enjoy!


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2. Link up your favorite recipes or food related posts
3. Grab our Recipe Swap button and link back to both of our blogs
4. Be sure to visit other blogs and find new recipes!



Martinis & Bikinis

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Pot of Gold Weekend

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I celebrated over the weekend with friends decked out in green eating green food.




Another beautiful weekend spent outside which makes me a happy little leprechaun. Afternoons by the pool, grilling up burgers, and a St. Patricks Day party with friends = a great weekend.

How green was your weekend?







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Bring on the Green!

I may not be Irish, but for those of us who aren't we all pretend to be once a year decked out in green...
St. Patricks Day





The only time I break out the green eye shadow is for St. Patrick's Day parties. I can't really pull it off, but it's fun to be decked out in green and celebrate with friends. All you need is some festive attire, green makeup, green beer, and I even paint my nails green.



When we still lived in CT, we used to go to the parade which was a huge debauchery fest, but so much fun (and soooo cold!). Now, we enjoy house parties (in the warmth!) looking forward to good times with good friends this weekend.

Looking forward to this weekend, and more St. Patrick's Day memories. Do you have any fun plans? Fun parades? Green rivers?

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Thankful Thursday

The lovely Katie co-hosts a great link up each Thursday along with some other fabulous ladies and it was high time I finally joined in :)


Even when times seem tough, there is always so much to be thankful for, and it's great to stop and think about everything you've been blessed with. It always makes me feel bad for what I've been complaining about when I realize I have so much to be thankful for.


~ I'm thankful it's finally March and spring is almost here. I love that it's light out later, the flowers are blooming, and it's starting to warm up. Bring on the sundresses, sandals, and drinks by the pool!



~ I'm thankful for good friends when I'm in need of some encouragement or just need to vent




 ~ I'm thankful that I have my own elliptical now. Being able to workout in the convenience and privacy of my own home and saying goodbye to the gym is priceless!




~ I'm thankful for our big trip coming up that I'm very much looking forward to. Finally crossing the pond! 




~ I'm thankful for new beginnings... yes I'm being vague, but I promise to elaborate more later ;-)
~ I'm always thankful for my amazing H





What are you thankful for today?






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Ready for Spring

I don't know about you, but I am ready for spring! Even here in Florida, it's been too "chilly" for too long. Usually by now we've already been enjoying beach and pool time. Don't get me wrong, we've had our beautiful warm days, but it's not consistent enough to be beach and pool ready. I'm looking forward to sundresses, spring scents, and days by the pool and the beach.

Ready for Spring





It's time for lighter perfume scents, beach totes, sandals, and flowery accessories. I'm loving Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh for spring and floral statement necklaces... so pretty and feminine for this time of year.

What are you ready for with the warmer weather?

**You can also find me over at Lisa's blog today for a Wedding Q & A, hop on over and say hi**
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Homemade Baked Mac n' Cheese

Growing up, I sure loved that blue box of mac and cheese but now I've grown an appreciation for foods that are made from scratch and not packed full of  fake powders and ingredients (even if they are yummy!). One of my favorite recipes from my mom is for her homemade baked mac n' cheese. I've altered it a bit to include reduced fat options, but it still tastes amazing and I even got two thumbs up from my brother when I made it for dinner while he was visiting.




Ingredients:

1 lb. of elbow macaroni
1 quart of milk (I use skim milk)
1 stick of butter (I cut off a few tbsp. instead of using the whole stick)
6 tbsp. of flour
1/2 tsp. of pepper
1/2 tsp. of slat
1/2 tsp. of onion powder
1/4 tsp. of dry mustard
1 bag of shredded sharp cheddar cheese (I use reduced fat)
1 bag of shredded mild cheddar cheese (I use reduced fat)
4 tbsp. of bread crumbs
1/4 cup of parm cheese





Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Cook macaroni for 9 minutes in boiling water
Heat milk in microwave on high for 5 minutes
In a large pan, melt butter and mix in flour
Then stir in pepper, salt, onion powder, and dry mustard. *Don't let the butter get too brown*
Pour in milk using a whisk, bring it to a boil but be careful not to scourge it.
Stir in one bag of shredded cheese and take it off the heat.
Add cooked macaroni and then stir in 1/2 of the other bag of cheese and mix.
Pour everything into a greased 9x13 pan and top off with bread crumbs, parm cheese, and remaining shredded cheese.
Bake at 350 for about half an hour or until it bubbles.




Serve with fresh salad or by itself, enjoy!


**********************************************

Link-up Rules:

1. Follow Emily and myself via GFC and Bloglovin
2. Link up your favorite recipes or food related posts
3. Grab our Recipe Swap button and link back to both of our blogs
4. Be sure to visit other blogs and find new recipes!


Martinis & Bikinis




Continue Reading →
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Epcot Birthday Weekend

The weather could not have been more perfect this weekend, and I spent as much time outside enjoying it as possible.


I was bummed I couldn't make it down to celebrate my college roommate's b-day this weekend, but am so thankful that we have our annual Disney passes so I was able to celebrate another friend's b-day and enjoy the warm sunshine. Getting those Disney passes = best decision ever!




Having good friends while going through a tough time is the best "medicine" a girl can get. Cheers to a great week and new beginnings :)








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Weekend of Birthdays

Happy Friday! I was supposed to go down to South Florida to celebrate my college roommate's 30th this weekend, but alas some circumstances arose and I'm unable to get down there this weekend. But, I'll always remember celebrating many of her birthdays including her 21st... good times....



*I left out several pics of us doing numerous duck faces* -- you're welcome

We have another birthday to celebrate this weekend though and the celebrations will be taking place at Epcot. I may not be able to get down to South Florida, but by golly I will be getting some use out of my Disney pass. 







*Cheers to the weekend*

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The Great Concealer Debate

Concealer Comparison




I have been cursed blessed with hereditary dark circles under my eyes, and no matter how much sleep I get they're always there. For years, I just lived with piling on extra foundation under my eyes (hello ghostly eyes in pictures with a flash!), and then I discovered Benefit's Erase Paste at Sephora. Finally a product that could cover up my dark circles and match my skin tone. All I do is take my concealer brush and dab a tiny bit under my eyes and tap it on lightly instead of rubbing it in which creates great coverage. Afterwards, I brush a little powder over it and it blends right in.

Recently, everyone keeps raving about Maybelline's Age Rewind concealer, and I was looking to try it since it appeared to have a less "cakey" consistency to it, plus it's about $20 cheaper than Erase Paste. However, I was pretty disappointed with it. It doesn't provide nearly as much coverage as the Erase Paste or last all day. I was surprised since so many people seem to love it, and I am a loyal user of their Falsies mascara and Baby Lips products.

Erase Paste may be $26 for a little jar, but that little jar lasts me longer than a year plus it works better than any other product I've tried.

What's your concealer of choice?

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